Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-08-04

eTuueut HAS sent W Tue uttp sea ueulDR
grounds off the Canadian coast, what our
fishing vessels could expect from the Csnadi-
an authorities Admiral Luce sent number
of inquiries to Capt. Scott, who commands
one of the Dominion vessels set to watch
American fishing vessels, and Capt. Scott
replied to these inquiries, stating that the
Canadian position as it has so often been
presented, that American fishing vessels have
no right to enter Canadian harbors or waters
for any purpose except shelter, repairs, pur-
chasing wood and obtaining water"
"Thereupon Admiral Luce caused SCOTS
reply to be printed and distributed among
American fishing vessels. with the admonition
(according to an interview published in the
Halifax papers) that they must comply strict
lv with the treaty of 1918 as interpreted by
Capt. Scott, and 'must not expect any pro-
teclion from US if they choose to violate Ca
madam laws" enacted to enforce the claims Of
the Canadians.
The admiral is represented as notifying
our fishermen that they must not enter Ca
madam harbors for any purpose except shell
ter. repairs, purchasing wood and obtaining
water, and as informing them that if they
enter such harbors for any other purpose.
they must not expect any protection from
our people
"What do you think of this positions" he
was asked
Il have expressed my emphatic disapprov
al of it already, and prefer you should ask
Judge Woodbury. and Mr.. Spofford, two well
known democrats, who cannot be suspected
OF any party prejudice, and who are perhaps
more familiar with the fishery question than
any other two gentlemen in the United
States.
Judge Woodbury. and Col. Spotford who.
bv the way, still preserve the keenness and
ability for which they have been distinguished
for the many years they have been before the
public, both kindly volunteered to give their
views for publication.
II am surprised" remarked Judge Wood
bury. "that Admiral Luce, for whom | have
a high regard. should have undertaken to
decide this fishery question, and to decide it.
too in direct conflict with the position which
has been steadily maintained by the Ameri-
can government
''Just look at it" added Mr.. Spofford, "the
admiral Of the North Atlantic feet presuma-
rights of American fishermen, accepts the
dictum of captain of the Canadian coast
guard, deny ing that we have any rights, and
solemnly warns our hardy fishermen that If
they attempt to exercise privileges which our
government has always maintained as our
right then they must not expect any protec-
ton from our people, If the admiral has
acted under instructions, why did our gov
ernment send any fleet to Canadian waters?
Ii would have been more graceful to have
backed down at the beginning. If he has
not acted under instructions he should be
called to sharp account for giving away our
case so far as he could"
"What makes the case more remarkable
still, interjscts Judge Woodbury., "is the
fact that not only have our State department
and minister to England been carrying on a
very able correspondence, clearly showing
that American fishing vessels have the right
to enter Canadian ports for the purchase Of
supplies and the shipment of fish in bond
etc . under legislative arrangements with
Great Britain, but Congress at the last ses-
sion unanimously enacted law authorizing
the President, in case Canada denied these
privileges to our fishing vessels, to issue a
proclamation Withdrawing similar privileges
| in our ports from Canadian vessels, and pro-
hibiting the importation into any collection
district of the United States of such Canadian
products as he might name.
"And vet, in the face of this unanimous
dec aration of Congress, Admiral Luce, who
| is supposed to represent our government, has
| practically notified American fishermen that
they have no right to enter Canadian ports or
| harbors to purchase supplies or ship fish in
bond to the United Statss, and that if they
do so they must not expect any protection
| from us.
| 81 shall be astonished if the authorities at
| Washington do not at once dlsavow these ut
| ,erances of the admiral. for if they endorse
! ,ha hv their sllpOre i a DractipQl n
der of our case"
"Why has no action been taken by the ad
ministrstion under the so called retaliation
act of last spring.
| 81 have felt like waiting for the end be
fore pronouncing a judgment replied Judge
Woodbury.. Certainly the Canadians have
| constantly and persistently denied to Ameri-
can fishing vessels, all this season, the rights
named in the act of Congress, and have re
peatedly officially declared their intention to
continue to do so. Yet similar privileges are
being granted in our ports every day to Cana
dian vessels, and no step has been taken to
carry out the express will of Congress that
the President should issue his proclamation
Withdrawing from Canadians what they deny
10 us"
Il imagine" exclaimed Mr.. Spofford,
'that if nothing is done by the administration
| DelOre tDe t1ettluS VI toHsiSs1, tHoAO WI oe
some pretty sharp inquiries addressed to
somebody for this course"
There seems to be an impression in Ca
madam circles" said Mr.. Dingley, THAT
there is no intention on the part of the ad-
ministration to carry out the policy of with.
drawing from Canadian fishing vessels and
ash privileges denied US, as adopted by Con-
gress. This impression is so firmly fixed in
the Canadian mind that they seem TO take it
for granted that they can refuse privileges to
our vessels without incurring any danger of
similar action by Us. And now comes Admit
raj Luce's announcement that American
fishing vessels must not expect in Canadian
ports the privileges freely accorded Canadian